Land appraisal rules might be tightened

Bill would impact state Game, Fish and Parks; comes after failed deal in Marshall County

Bill would impact state Game, Fish and Parks; comes after failed deal in Marshall County

February 20, 2009|BY BOB MERCER, American News Correspondent

PIERRE - The Legislature is working to place tighter regulations on the appraisals used by the state Game, Fish and Parks Commission to acquire land. The Senate voted 34-0 on Thursday to require the use of a state-certified appraiser. The legislation, HB1152, would also create a specific definition of market value. Sen. Corey Brown, R-Gettysburg, said the bill was conceived during an appropriations hearing earlier in the legislative session. He said Marshall County residents thought a parcel being acquired by GF&P should be appraised at a higher value than agricultural use because of the land's development potential. The deal eventually was set aside. Rep. Thomas Deadrick, R-Platte, is the bill's prime sponsor. Brown is the lead sponsor in the Senate. The bill received the support of GF&P Secretary Jeff Vonk at a Senate committee hearing on Tuesday. Also testifying for it were Rep. Susan Wismer, D-Britton, and Deadrick. The language specifically defining market value was added by the Senate committee at Deadrick's request. Wismer said a proposed land swap involving a piece of Roy Lake property for a piece of private land at Piyas Lake brought to light some concerns. The swap was eventually withdrawn by the private landowner. Wismer said the Roy Lake parcel would have become worth much more as development property in private ownership than its agricultural value as public land owned by GF&P. Vonk said the appraisal was “done inappropriately.” He said the transaction wouldn't have been allowed to proceed “under any circumstance” once the problem became clear. Because of the Senate amendment, the measure now must return to the House of Representatives for a decision whether to agree with the Senate version or send it to a House-Senate conference committee for negotiation. House members originally voted 67-1 for its approval.